Glide rail system for supporting sliding extension

ABSTRACT

A glide rail system includes a roll-formed tubular track, a pair of cabinet-attached and tray-attached glides each slidingly engaging the track, and plugs in ends of the track limiting extension of the tray. The components can be quickly telescopingly assembled to each other and are configured for quick-attachment to the cabinet and tray in order to provide a low-cost, high-strength system of relatively few components. The present system is designed especially for supporting a dishwasher for extension, and provides for smooth extension of the tray as well as sanitary and non-rusting sliding support for the tray.

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/826,012, filed Sep. 18, 2006, entitled GLIDERAIL SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING SLIDING EXTENSION, the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to glide rail extension systems such asfor supporting a drawer or tray in a dishwasher appliance for slidingextension. However, the present invention is not believed to be limitedto only supporting dishwasher trays. For example, it is contemplatedthat the present inventive concepts could also be used in otherapplications, such as in a refrigerator drawer, a desk or cabinetdrawer, or in many other similar drawer, tray and component applicationswhere smooth extension of a component is desired, and/or where sanitaryand non-rusting sliding support is desired.

A system is desired for supporting a dishwasher tray for slidingextension that is durable, robust, low-cost, and yet that providesstable smooth extension of the dishwasher tray. Further, the systempreferably should require relatively few pieces, and provide for anefficient, easy and consistent assembly. Notably, a dishwasher tray isin a relatively harsh environment that is damp, hot, and subject todebris. However, the tray must be sanitary and rust free, even aftersubstantial and long-term use.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a glide rail system forslideably mounting an extendable component to a stationary supportincludes a tubular extension member defining a track, a pair of firstglides including a first mount section adapted for attachment to thestationary support and including a first slide section slideablyengaging the tubular extension member, and a tray carrier with a pair ofsecond glides having a second mount section adapted for attachment tothe extendable component and including a second slide section slideablyengaging the tubular extension.

Methods related to manufacturing, assembly, and repair also form aspectsof the present invention.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glide rail system embodying thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the rail used in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3-3A are end views of the glide rail system of FIG. 1, FIG. 3Ahaving the end plug 43 removed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of glides connected by an integrally formedbridge.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of glides connected by an attached bridge.

FIGS. 6-8 are additional views of the roll-formed track, an invertedbridge-connected glide bracket, and a wire-tray-carrying glide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present glide rail system 30 (FIG. 1) includes a tubular extensionmember 31 (also called a “track”) that defines a track, a pair ofstationary glides 32 configured for attachment to a stationary supportand for sliding engagement with the track, and a tray carrier 33 with asecond pair of glides 34 configured for attachment to an extendable trayand for sliding engagement with the track. One set of the components canbe used on each side of the extendable tray (see dashed lines) forsupporting the tray for smooth extension. Preferably, the components aredesigned to be telescopingly assembled and for configured snap-assemblyor friction-fit or other quick-attachment method to the cabinet and trayfor efficient and low-cost assembly. Further, the components aredesigned using materials that resist rust and degradation, even aftersubstantial use in a harsh, hot, damp environment, such as a dishwasher.The system is durable, robust, low-cost, high-strength, and designed forstable, smooth, horizontal extension of a tray (or drawer, or othercomponent). Further, the system is constructed of relatively fewcomponents, and the components are designed for efficient and low-costassembly without the need for substantial secondary operations. Notably,the present system is designed especially for supporting a dishwasherfor extension, but it is contemplated that it could also be used inother applications, such as in a refrigerator drawer, a desk or cabinetdrawer, and in many other similar drawer, tray and componentapplications where smooth extension of a component is desired and wheresanitary and non-rusting sliding support is desired.

The illustrated extension member 31 is roll-formed from a sheet of metalinto a tubular cross section (FIG. 2). The illustrated extension member31 is preferably roll-formed for efficient and low-cost manufacture, butit is contemplated that it could be stamped, extruded, or formed usingother manufacturing methods if desired. The tubular cross sectionincludes opposing flat vertical side walls 35 and 36, connected by topand bottom arcuately concave walls 37 and 38, with all parts of thecross section being rolled to form generous radii and to eliminate sharpedges. Also, the cross section is symmetrical, so that the extensionmember 31 can be used on right- and left-hand sides of the tray. Theextension member 31 is roll-formed to abut opposing edges of its rawsheet stock and then is welded to form a permanent tube, with the weldedabutting edges being located in an optimal location such as along acenter of the flat side walls 35 or 36, or along a bottom location forlow visibility. The extension member 31 is tubular for high-strength,which also gives it a high-strength-to-weight ratio, and is preferablymade of a non-rusting strong material suitable for sanitary use and forlong-term use in the harsh environment inside the dishwasher.

The stationary glides 32 (FIGS. 3 and 3A) each include a mount section39 adapted for snap or hook attachment (or adapted for attachment byfasteners) to a dishwasher cabinet, and include a slide section formedby top and bottom flanges 40 and 41. The flanges 40 and 41 are L-shapedand opposing, such that they slideably engage top and bottom edges ofthe outer side wall 35 and further they extend into channels of the topand bottom concave walls 37 and 38. The glides 32 are preferably acetal,such that the extension member 31 slidingly positively engages theglides 32 with low friction for smooth inward and outward slidingextension. A polymeric plug 43 (FIG. 1) friction-fits into each end ofthe extension member 31 and limits sliding extension of the extensionmember 31 on the glides 32 and 34. The plugs 43 further close ends ofthe extension member 31.

The glides 34 (FIG. 3) on the tray carrier 33 are similar to glides 32,in that glides 34 are acetal and include a mount section 49 adapted forattachment to a bracket 53, and include a slide section forming top andbottom flanges 50 and 51. The flanges 50 and 51 are L-shaped andopposing, such that they slidingly engage top and bottom portions of theinner side wall 36 and extend into channels of the top and bottomconcave walls 37 and 38. A bracket 53 engages the mount section 49 andties the glides 34 together in a stable arrangement so that they do nottend to twist or bind the movement of the tray. The bracket 53 includesan inner mount section 54 with flanges 55 and 56 (FIG. 1) for attachmentto a dishwasher tray. The attachment can be by positive means, such asby fasteners or can be by releasably engaging means, such as by hook orsnap or frictional attachment. Such attachment structures can bedesigned by a skilled artisan, and they are not the present focus, suchthat they do not require a detailed explanation in the presentdiscussion.

The outer glides 32 can be tied together by the dishwasher cabinet.Alternatively, the glides 32 can be connected by an integrally formedbridge 57 (FIG. 4) or by an attached bridge 58 (FIG. 5) for increasedstability. This also assists with efficient and quick assembly. FIGS.6-8 show an additional view of the roll-formed track 31, a view of aninverted bridge-connected glide bracket similar to bracket 53, and awire-tray-carrying glide similar to glide 34.

The front outer glide 32 is positioned about ¼ inch higher than the rearouter glide 32, so that the tubular tracks 31 are tilted to drain towarda rear of the track. This can also be done by making the flanges on thefront glide 32 to be about ¼ inch higher than similar flanges on therear glide 32. This angled arrangement of the tracks causes moisture todrain out of the track, and further causes the moisture to drainrearwardly past the rear plug 43 into the dishwasher cabinet (ratherthan forward out of the cabinet). It is contemplated that this angledarrangement can also be used to provide for a self-closing drawer thatautomatically slides by gravity toward a closed position.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of thepresent invention, and further it is to be understood that such conceptsare intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claimsby their language expressly state otherwise.

1. A glide rail system for slideably mounting an extendable component toa stationary support, comprising: a tubular extension member defining atrack; a pair of first glides including a first mount section adaptedfor attachment to the stationary support and including a first slidesection slideably engaging the tubular extension member; and a traycarrier with pair of second glides having a second mount section adaptedfor attachment to the extendable component and including a second slidesection slideably engaging the tubular extension.
 2. The glide railsystem defined in claim 1, wherein the extension member comprises anelongated roll-formed member with a constant cross-sectional shape. 3.The glide rail system defined in claim 2, wherein the cross-sectionalshape includes an outer side wall that is vertically oriented and planarin shape.
 4. The glide rail system defined in claim 3, wherein thecross-sectional shape includes a top wall that defines an arc.
 5. Theglide rail system defined in claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional shapeof the extension member is symmetrical about a longitudinally-extendingvertical plane extending through a center of the extension member. 6.The glide rail system defined in claim 1, wherein the mount section ofthe first slide sections includes an outwardly-extending hook shaped tosecurely engage a mating wall structure on a dishwasher cabinet andfurther the first slide section includes an inwardly-extending set ofL-shaped flanges for slideably engaging top and bottom surfaces of theextension member.
 7. The glide rail system defined in claim 6, wherein ashape of the second slide section includes an outwardly-extending set ofL-shaped flanges for slideably engaging top and bottom surfaces of theextension member.
 8. The glide rail system defined in claim 1, includingat least one plug extending into an end of the extension member, andwherein a first end of the extension member is at least about ¼ inchabove a second end of the extension member to facilitate draining waterfrom a cavity defined within the extension member.
 9. The glide railsystem defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the pair of firstglides and the pair of second glides are interconnected by a bridgeextending therebetween.
 10. The glide rail system defined in claim 9,wherein the bridge is integrally formed with the one pair of glides. 11.A method comprising steps of: roll-forming a tubular track from a sheetof material; attaching stationary glides to a cabinet wall and slideablyengaging the stationary glides with the track; attaching second glidesto a carrier and slideably engaging the second glides with the track;and placing end stops on the track to limit telescoping movement of thestationary and second glides.